Need Driving Directions from the NY and PA crowd

**starbkjrus** · 27th December 06, 10:58 PM

Hail from Toronto! We are finally on the final leg of our Southern Ontario adventure. Thank goodness!

I finally have broadband internet access instead of dial-up (:eek

but still limited internet time and we are visiting family and friends for the holidays. (It's about 1:Beer-thirty and I HAVE to get to bed).

We are leaving Toronto on Friday (12/29/06) to head back to Washington DC and need advice from the rabble in NY and PA. We have two sets of directions (google maps and mapquest).

One set takes us down through central NY and PA on some roads that I've never heard of and the other takes us (through Buffalo) and down I-90 (I think...it's the expressway that goes SW along Lake Erie) and then down to Pittsburgh, then Breezewood, then Fredrick and on down. The later route we know but the question is ....is there a better way? Is there something through central NY and PA that is better? Ideas on halfway stops? I'm not about spending 10 hrs on the road.. I prefer a nice happy hour and dinner rather than fast food in the car and keep on driving.

**KiltedCodeWarrior** · 28th December 06, 08:12 AM

No help for you Dee, although the first route sounds like the one I have taken in the past. Through the Allegheny valley down route 15? 17? forget which. Beautiful drive through the mountains in the summer, but I might be a bit leery of it if there were snow in the forecast. Some pretty lonely roads if you have any problems.

And I will be looking to see what others suggest as I will be doing the same drive, except all the way back to FL, in a few weeks.

**possingk** · 28th December 06, 08:13 AM

I travel from Buffalo to Harrisburg, PA all the time and I think think going through central PA will be a bit longer it is a solid 5 hours. But the directions are easy, once in Buffalo take I90 West to 390 South that will turn into 17/15/11 follow 11/15 south until you hit DC, there are more small towns on this journey than there are on the journey through Pittsburgh and such.

**Woodsheal** · 28th December 06, 04:50 PM

Originally Posted by possingk

I travel from Buffalo to Harrisburg, PA all the time and I think think going through central PA will be a bit longer it is a solid 5 hours. But the directions are easy, once in Buffalo take I90 West to 390 South that will turn into 17/15/11 follow 11/15 south until you hit DC, there are more small towns on this journey than there are on the journey through Pittsburgh and such.

NOT the way I would choose! 11/15 is two-lane most of the way and can slow you down to a crawl.

I'd take I-90 East to Syracuse, I-81 South to Harrisburg, I-83 South to Baltimore, take the Baltimore beltway around to south of that city, then I-95 South to D.C....

**mexpiper** · 28th December 06, 05:29 PM

Originally Posted by Woodsheal

I'd take I-90 East to Syracuse, I-81 South to Harrisburg, I-83 South to Baltimore, take the Baltimore beltway around to south of that city, then I-95 South to D.C....

Thats the same way i would go, also. I-81S has been redone, and repaved, its a much easier way to go. Its also a bit safer.. more places to stop on I81. Just beware if there is snow,,, it could be a slow go...through out I-90 to Syracuse and beyond.

**Bob C** · 29th December 06, 09:10 AM

Originally Posted by Woodsheal

NOT the way I would choose! 11/15 is two-lane most of the way and can slow you down to a crawl.

I'd take I-90 East to Syracuse, I-81 South to Harrisburg, I-83 South to Baltimore, take the Baltimore beltway around to south of that city, then I-95 South to D.C....

This is pretty good advice. If you don't mind a longer drive with much less traffic and probably better time, take I-81 all the way to Winchester, VA and Route 66 (I think) into D.C.

I-95 can be BRUTAL. I did that with my family last summer.

**RockyR** · 29th December 06, 09:49 AM

The route I'd take depends on what you want to SEE in PA (what stops you want to make). Are you coming to the East side of the state (towards Philly) or are you looking to get to MD ASAP?

If you're looking to come out this way, ask Robert from RKilts how he comes down. He's been here a few times.

**Canuck** · 29th December 06, 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by RockyR

The route I'd take depends on what you want to SEE in PA (what stops you want to make). Are you coming to the East side of the state (towards Philly) or are you looking to get to MD ASAP?

If you're looking to come out this way, ask Robert from RKilts how he comes down. He's been here a few times.

I'm usually in a rush when I head down so I take toll roads. One way is to cross at Niagra falls. From Toronto head west on the Gardner then head south on QEW427 to Past St. Catherines then Hwy 405 cross the border take 190, 290, 90, 476, 676. Or you could head east taking 401 past Kingston take 137 south to the bridge. head south on 81 then join the 476 etc.

**Frank McGrath** · 28th December 06, 06:04 PM

Having driven to Greene New York several times. I would get on 81 South to Harrisburg then take 15 south, because it goes right into Va around Leesburg. Plus there is a great diner in Dillsburg Pa. on the right side. Dont remember the name, but the food was good. Have a safe trip and a Happy New Year.